The camas plant is deeply rooted in the Pacific Northwest, its history entwined with both this place and with the lives and cultures of Native peoples who have lived here for millenia.

Camas grows across Oregon’s diverse climates, and Oregon is home to 65% of named camas species. The camas plant has long been cultivated by Kalapuyans and Chinookans of western Oregon, Columbia River Sahaptins, coastal and southwestern tribes, Plateau peoples, and Northern Paiute.

Harvesting camas takes time. The harvesting process is rooted in cultural knowledge passed down through relationships and across generations. Like much knowledge that falls outside of white-dominant frameworks, a deep understanding of camas, its complexity, beauty and utility have been neglected and ignored. But still the knowledge remains.

Sources:

Rooted In Culture — Oregon’s Wild Camas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl-mc70jm98

Oregon Encyclopedia: https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/camas/

Oregon History Project: https://www.oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/historical-records/camas/